My first project boat.

[coFLounder]

I just acquired a 1979 Pisces MV-210 Cuddy Cabin with a Chrysler 140 on it. Of course like all projects this one has much more wrong with it than I thought at first. My "free" boat has set me back close to $400 just to get it home. (Tires, bearings, and lights for the trailer as well as tags) This one has been sitting since 1993 when a pole barn it was in fell on it. Windshield has been smashed, the deck has been damaged and over the years the motor has had a few parts scavenged off of it by the previous owners son. Most of the wood has rotted out (makes removal easier). I am debating on trying to repair the decking and restore it or maybe convert it to a center console to make it more useful for fishing (Chesapeake is only a few hours away) The good news is I now have a trailer with all new LED lights and new bearings and tires and the motor still turns free. I am open to any hints tips and suggestions you guys may have. I have been reading through these forums for several weeks and it looks there is lots of info here.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: My first project boat.

Well, a replacement windshield is probably going to be next to impossible to find (unless that's something you're planning on fabricating yourself) so that may be one reason to go ahead with the conversion to a center console. Sounds like an ambitious project, keep us posted on progress.

(The moderators are probably going to move this thread to the restoration section. )

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: My first project boat.

Welcome to iboats. Lots of good info and help here. Someone will soon suggest pics, so you might as well get started on some.

Best advice I can give is to do tons of research and plan the entire project up front. Most projects here get started like yours. That is, they suddenly acquired an old boat and then decided to fix it up. In my case (project in progress), I actually thought about doing such a project for over 2 years. Then I went and found a suitable old boat. But thinking it through will help you every step of the way.

 

[zopperman]

Re: My first project boat.

Pics
Welcome aboard.
Chrysler's a good motor, but parts are tough
Franzmarine@aol.com can help.
Get all the rot and wet foam out.
A CC cuddy would be cool!

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

(The moderators are probably going to move this thread to the restoration section. )

I realized I posted in the wrong spot as soon as I pushed the button. Could not find the delete button.


I was not even looking for a project when I got this boat. I was asking around for anyone who had a boat we could borrow for a Halloween float (Gilligan's Island theme) and they said we could use the boat as long as we kept it when we were done. I have a few pics that I will post soon.

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

This is how I found her.




More to follow

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: My first project boat.

they said we could use the boat as long as we kept it when we were done.

Well, at least now we know who got the short end of that deal .

You're certainly going to get a good education. I've done 2 boats now, the Checkmate was by far the most involved as it was basically a basket case when I got it (as was the engine which I got on ebay ). I've got way more $$$ into my Checkmate than it's worth, but I had a hell of a lot of fun rebuilding it and now I have the boat of my dreams.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: My first project boat.

This is how I found her.


View attachment 123709

More to follow

Looks cool. Nice deep v-hull too. I love the sliding hard top too. super cool. can't wait to see what you do with her. cheers!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: My first project boat.

post pics of the damaged winshield--I'm diggin' that hard top & hull.

 

[dan t.]

Re: My first project boat.

That trailer looks to be a badly faded pale blue or galvimized, if it is galvinized you got a very good deal already.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My first project boat.

If the damaged upper windshield mounted on top of a fairly flat cabin roof, you can easily replace it with a three piece one from a salvaged boat or found on Craigslist or ebay. I was able to replace the badly cracked plexi one on my last boat with a 3 piece I got off ebay that came from a Larson bowrider or something like that.

Before:
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/09.jpg

After:
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/boat2.jpg

 

[alligatorgars]

Re: My first project boat.

Congratulations on the new project boat.
When you are ever in doubt about expenses while repairing your hull just visit a local boat dealer and price some of the similar sized hulls being sold on the market new.

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

The windshield does (did) attach to the flat top of the cabin roof. I am still not sure if I want to save the cabin or not. If I do save it the windshield will be the least of my worries. First step will be to gut the boat and then based on what I find it will be decision time. If nothing else I have a decent trailer to go pick up another "free" boat to get started on.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: My first project boat.

The windshield does (did) attach to the flat top of the cabin roof. I am still not sure if I want to save the cabin or not. If I do save it the windshield will be the least of my worries. First step will be to gut the boat and then based on what I find it will be decision time. If nothing else I have a decent trailer to go pick up another "free" boat to get started on.

plan ahead, really think it through and have a clear sight on what you want to do, that way when your just having fun browsing the web and come across something you will need at a fair price, there is no hesitation to jump on it. I picked up a free hull just for the windshield because I knew what it would cost me if I had to buy one. Also my boat used to use portable tanks but I knew I wanted to put in a permanent while i had the cap off and had the option to do it, so when i saw a 24 gallon tank for 50 bucks it was a no-brainer. Looks like a fun project, if you decide to redo it, do it how it best meets your needs, it will cost money, sweat and a whole lot of frustration, but worth it in the end! Good luck, and welcome to the drydock

 

[Coho Ghost]

Re: My first project boat.

coF,

That is a really neat looking hull design. Would sure like to see more pics of it pulled out in the open. You'll probably end up like most of us, spending way more on the resto than you can ever get out of the boat if you try to sell it, but who cares!! You will so much enjoy doing the work and what you end up with when you are done.


FWIW,
Coho Ghost

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

coF,

You'll probably end up like most of us, spending way more on the resto than you can ever get out of the boat if you try to sell it, but who cares!! You will so much enjoy doing the work and what you end up with when you are done.


FWIW,
Coho Ghost

The enjoyment I get out of doing the work and taking her out for the first time will make any amount I spend look like a bargin.

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

I attached a picture of the original purpose. The Howells were out repairing phone lines from our late October snowstorm and not available for the picture. I showed it the pressure washer to get most of the moss off of it. Long ways to go before we call it clean.

 

[sphelps]

Re: My first project boat.

A few more pounds and some grey hair you will have the skipper down... The professor should have used coconuts and aluminum foil rabbit ears to fix that boombox..

 

[coFLounder]

Re: My first project boat.

I have plenty of pounds on me already that pic shows it the least. The radio was a last minute substitution we had a Packard-Bell AR851 lines up to use but the owner had something come up at the last minute and we could not get it from him. We still took second place. The pirate ship behind us (my older brothers family) took first.